Legislation Belgium

Donation:

A law concerning tissues and cells exists

No distinction is made between the eye and the cornea, both are considered as tissues.

Donation of tissues and cells in deceased persons is an opting out system (presumed consent), comparable to the organ donation in Belgium: objections are registered in a nation wide computer database system.

Cornea banking:

Eye banks need an accreditation of the Federal agency for medicinal products (FAGG) as the competent authority.

Inspection of eye banks is performed by the Inspector of the FAGG, representing the competent authority.

The criteria are defined in the Law and in an additional guidance document of a working group on Tissues, organs and cells of the advisory council of the Ministry of Health.

In Belgium there is an national association of Tissue Banks. A separate national eye banking organization does not officially exist, but there is a close co-operation between the eye banks.